Recent studies have indicated that children who born to mothers
who are exposed to toxic agents (such as the lead in gasoline and paint,
or (independently) alcohol) during the pregnancy are up to 300% more likely to develop
schizophrenia. Even small amounts of a damaging chemical at a crucial
stage in fetal development can cause neurons in an infant's brain to commit
suicide at accelerated rates. The new insight suggests that a single mechanism
may lie at the heart of a wide spectrum of disorders, including fetal
alcohol syndrome and schizophrenia. People exposed to high levels of lead
in the womb were more than twice (up to 3 times) more likely to develop
schizophrenia or similar disorders later in life.

Although the link has yet to be confirmed with larger studies, the researcher
points out that lead inhibits brain activity in exactly the same way as
alcohol does. The researchers involved in the study believe that cell suicide triggered by the lead is causing
the schizophrenia.

Work from the two groups presented at the annual AAAS
meeting in 2004 also raises the tantalising possibility of explaining
how apparently unrelated risk factors, such as poor nutrition or infection
during pregnancy, can lead to mental disorders. Susser speculates that
these factors too may trigger cell suicide by slowing down the activity
of neurons at a crucial time.

Adults absorb and retain very little lead from their diet, whereas children
younger than age 2 can absorb and retain up to 25% of lead from their
diet. Before the harmful effects of lead became known, it was widely used
in such common products as gasoline, paints, water pipes, and cans (even
food cans).

Children can get lead poisoning by chewing on objects coated with lead-based
paint (such as cribs, toys, or windowsills). They may also play in or
eat dirt that contains chips of leaded paint that have flaked off of a
house.

Possible Actions: Make extra efforts to avoid
exposure to leaded gasoline and car exhaust fumes (from leaded gas/petrol
or leaded paint, etc.) or similarly toxic chemicals and materials (including
all alcohol) during pregnancy. Avoid other sources of lead - including
leaded paint, or leaded paint dust, lead in drinking water due to old
pipes, etc. Avoid ALL alcoholic drinks for several months prior to trying to become pregnant as well as during pregnancy - as
research is showing that even small amounts of alcohol during pregancy
can damage the child's brain. Another study has shown that alcohol
during pregnancy modifies the dopamine system (a key system that is
defective in people who have schizophrenia). Avoid anesthesia during pregnancy.
Read up on other possible toxins and avoid them during pregnancy. Interestingly,
some womens and mens hair coloring (i.e. Grecian Formula) actually have
high lead contents. Avoid these pruducts during pregnancy and while breast
feeding. Even houses that were painted with leaded paint 25 years ago
are still a risk for preganant mothers due to the paint dust.

Make sure your house or apartment does not have excessive lead levels
(in the paint). The federal government banned the sale of lead-based paint
more than a quarter-century ago, but the government estimates that some
24 million homes in the U.S. still contain potentially harmful levels
of lead paint. The old paint, which in many cases has never been removed,
can easily get stirred up during a home renovation. Exposure to high lead
concentrations can damage a person's brain and nervous system -- children
and pregnant women are particularly vulnerable.

Some US cities and states are actively addressing this threat. In February,
2004 New York City passed a law requiring landlords to remove lead paint
and dust from pre-1960 apartments, while Michigan has its own legislation
in the works. And last fall, the federal government announced a $147 million
lead-safety initiative that includes looking into ways to better identify
lead hazards. In other countries that don't have this awareness of the
lead risk this is probably still a high risk for lead exposure and increased
schizophrenia risk (countries where leaded gasoline and paint may still
be in use).

Meanwhile, homeowners face a bewildering array of lead-paint testing
options, including do-it-yourself kits for $10 or $20 and pricey services
that use X-ray devices and lab analysis.

These tests frequently got widely conflicting results, all the way from
a clean bill of health to a stern warning to arrange a cleanup that could
cost thousands of dollars.

If you choose the full-service option, bargain. The rep we spoke with
one company they quoted us $550 to dust-wipe eight rooms. But when we
asked for a better price, he chopped off $100. The big sticker shock,
however, came when his report arrived a few days later. It said that almost
half of the samples exceeded federal government guidelines and recommended
hiring "a certified lead contractor to clean the apartment."
We called the rep, who tried to reassure us this would cost "well
south of $10,000."

Experts suggest that that the do-it-yourself kits are like home pregnancy
tests: not 100% accurate, but helpful for figuring out if you need to
do more thorough testing.

Also - be sure to check the lead level of your water. Houses with older
pipes frequently used lead, and the first rush of water that has been
sitting in the pipes all night can have high levels of lead. See links
below for testing labs and information.